Mnangagwa blocked from leaving Zim

HARARE - Former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was subjected to a thorough security search yesterday before he was stopped from leaving Zimbabwe for the Mozambican port city of Beira by police manning the Forbes Border Post in Mutare.

Apart from blocking Mnangagwa from leaving Zimbabwe for Mozambique, suspected intelligence operatives and plain-clothed police officers also held and detained one of his sons, David, for several hours — in ominous developments which analysts said yesterday spell big problems for the once untouchable former Zanu PF strongman.

The Daily News had not been able to establish at the time of going to press last night what Mnangagwa’s mission to Mozambique was about. But earlier in the day, there had been false social media claims that he had fallen seriously ill from stress on Monday and that he had been rushed to South Africa for medical treatment.

But authoritative sources told the newspaper that Mnangagwa had been barred from leaving for Mozambique yesterday morning, after his entourage presented a departure pass for five people — with border security details apparently claiming that they were under “strict instructions” to stop him from leaving the country.

The 75-year-old former VP subsequently aborted his trip and returned to Harare after the situation deteriorated into “deadly chaos”, amid fears of violence.

Another one of Mnangagwa’s sons — who was part of his advance team — was said to have crossed the border well before the former VP and his entourage arrived at the border.

Eyewitnesses told the Daily News that Mnangagwa had sensed trouble when his luxurious Mercedes Benz ML was subjected to a 20-minute search by Interpol and local police details just after 0700 hours.

As this commotion escalated, he had apparently alighted from the vehicle and proceeded to stand on the side, as the security details feverishly combed through his vehicle. It could not be established what the police were looking for.

Dressed in a black Poor Boy cap and brown suit, Mnangagwa apparently began walking back to the Zim border entry point, after realising that he would not be allowed to leave the country.

The eyewitnesses said at that point a police detail had shouted at him, ordering him to stop — prompting another cop to run after the former VP.

“The second police officer caught him and immediately released him upon realising who he was ... a few minutes later, another ZRP Support Unit officer stepped forward and appeared to cock his AK47 rifle, seemingly ready to fire at Ngwena’s (Mnangagwa’s) vehicle tyres, before one of his aides grabbed the gun and floored the officer,” one of the eyewitnesses claimed.

Soon after, Mnangagwa’s entourage got into their vehicle and sped off, with two other cars following them.

Mozambican immigration officials who spoke to the Daily News last night confirmed that one of his sons who was in an advance party had managed to gain entry into their country.

A close relative of Mnangagwa also told the Daily News last night that the former VP was back at his Harare home.

Police spokesperson for Manicaland Tavhiringwa Kakova said he was in Harare and could therefore not comment on what had happened.

On her part, national police spokesperson Charity Charamba said she was on leave.

Mnangagwa was fired by President Robert Mugabe on Monday, in a decision which surprised many Zimbabweans who had erroneously believed that the former VP would be dumped after Zanu PF’s December elective conference.

Breaking the news of Mnangagwa’s sacking, the minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, Simon Khaya Moyo, said Mugabe had used the powers vested in him by the Constitution to relieve the former VP of his duties.

“I have just come from State House and I need to convey a message to you all, and I hope you will report as accurately as you can without any additions or subtractions. The statement is on Vice President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and this is in relation to termination of employment as vice president,” he told a packed press conference.

“As a result, and in accordance with the national charter, amendment number 28, of 2013, Mugabe has exercised his powers to relieve Mnangagwa of his position with immediate effect.

“It had become evident that his conduct in the discharge of his duties had become inconsistent with his responsibilities. The vice president had consistently and persistently exhibited traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness and unreliability. He has also demonstrated little probity in the execution of his duties,” Khaya Moyo said.

Mnangagwa thus became the shortest-serving vice president in Zimbabwe’s history. He had been appointed to his position in December 2014, and would have celebrated his third anniversary as Mugabe’s deputy next month.

Joice Mujuru, whom he succeeded as vice president in 2014, served for more than 10 years before she was dismissed from both the ruling party and the government.

Before Mujuru, the other vice presidents in independent Zimbabwe served in the position until their deaths. This applied to Joshua Nkomo, Simon Muzenda, Joseph Msika and John Nkomo.

Mnangagwa had been Mugabe’s aide for more than five decades and many people were beginning to see him as a shoo-in to succeed the Zanu PF leader.

However, and particularly since the beginning of this year, it had become evident that the relationship between the two men had become increasingly strained and untenable.

With Zanu PF divided in the middle over the party’s unresolved succession riddle, the factional feuds took an ominous turn in August when Mnangagwa fell sick during an interface rally in Gwanda — which his backers said was allegedly a poison attack by his G40 enemies.

The Midlands godfather was later airlifted to South Africa where he received emergency surgery. He subsequently issued a statement denying that his illness was caused by ice cream from the First Family’s Gushungo Dairies, although he has consistently suggested that he was indeed poisoned.

In the past few weeks, First Lady Grace Mugabe cranked up the heat on Mnangagwa, accusing him of fanning factionalism, being a coward and also occupying a position that should be reserved for a woman.

As such, Grace and her allies have been baying for his head before the party’s special congress to be held in Harare from December 12 to 17.

A few weeks ago, Mugabe also stripped Mnangagwa of the ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs portifolio, in what was a harbinger of worse things to come for the once-feared former freedom fighter.

Mnangagwa had also given up his position as Member of Parliament for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe when he was appointed vice president in 2014. His wife, Auxillia, succeeded him in the constituency.

Comments (19)

mnangagwe its time for the zim army to hit a coup now mugabe is weak GRACE and his idiots will not rule zim bloody war is coming to God be the glory God using a devil to remove a greater devil called AMAI mugabe history will repeat itself zimbabwe was won through the blood of zimbos who is grace a lady born in sa BENONI CAUSING SUCH DISORDER A THIEF SOLDIERS DONT DEFEND AN EVIL SYSTEM VIVA CHIMURENGAH 02 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Grace you are not God but an immigrant in zim

CDE Gorongoza - 8 November 2017

What FICTION

Rihanna - 8 November 2017

CDE Gorongoza go and hang yourself. when opposition members were murdered by you war vets, you smiled all the way. What's so special na garwe. Amama, maichengeta munhu kuti asvike 93 years ari president maiti zvinosvikepi. This is God'd work. we know in 9 months Bob will be gone apa anenge atibvisira ma die hards. Then Zimbabwe will move forward with new blood. Sare Chiwenga and Charamba

Ndazvitaura - 8 November 2017

Its done .Ngwena is gone .Johnathan forget about ngwena now.You won for now.You now must start thinking what you will do when Grace now turns on you,becoz its her trends,she must fight someone at all times.Lacoste is gone and clar.Now its g40 and it needs cleancing and purging also.YOU jOHNSO ,chipanga And Mphoko hokoyo.Chatunga needs to come in also ,youthchairman.Grace does not like people who say they made her,ask Mahoka and Oppah.Johnso ,its done .Lacoste is dead and buried ,now watch Gires next move to the podium of president,even Mugabe will be straw to step on.

muroyi wa viola - 8 November 2017

And you MDC dont get carried away enjoying a frick show.See how Mugabe has pushed his 'winning' ways to wrestle power that was slipping away.Thats what awaits you next year ,election time.Already in the rurals only sabhukus are registering only known zanu members.They take their cell numbers and register their people only.You are busy clapping hands for Gire and looking at small town registries.Tichachema tese.

muroyi wa viola - 8 November 2017

Hit Mnangagwa hard very hard he must also feel it he inflicted a lot of pain to many innocent citizens in the name of Mugabe . No sorry for satan not at all . Any funny tricks by him arrest him straight away He stole our votes and Robbed Morgan of his victory which the nation had given him 2008 . He MADE SURE ELECTION RESULTS WERE NOT OUT FOR 5 WEEKS AND THERE AFTER WENT INTO A HUMAN KILLING SPREE . HE DID THE SAME IN THE 80S WHERE 20 000 PERISHED BCOZ OF HIM . why morn when satan is dead they is no reason to do that .

Diibulaanyika - 8 November 2017

Indeed Mnangagwa was a killer.He deserves all this humiliation and suffering.To hell with him.And lest we don't forget the 20 000 people killed in Matabeleland.Next is Jonathan Johnso Chimusoro bhangu Moyo.

josefa chinotimba - 8 November 2017

The humiliation that mnangagwa suffered is far less than what mugabe s exit will be like.Cdes open up you eyes to mugabe you are just tools.Today its Mnangagwa tomorrow its you.Are you that dump in zanupf not to see the trend

Adam Chekes - 8 November 2017

No sane person in any political party can do what Grace and Mugabe are doing especially during election eve . They seem sure of election out come . Remember in 2013 THEY CONFUSED A LOT of PEOPLE WHITH THEIR BABA JUKWA SOAPIE . now we have this lacoste and G40 drama which seeks to confuse everyone again while zanu is busy with massive election theft . To all those who have left zanu help this nation by spilling the beans tell the nation how zanu stealing and how they are preparing to steal next year do that for the sack of your nation and as patriotic citizens

Diibulaanyika - 8 November 2017

No sane person in any political party can do what Grace and Mugabe are doing especially during election eve . They seem sure of election out come . Remember in 2013 THEY CONFUSED A LOT of PEOPLE WHITH THEIR BABA JUKWA SOAPIE . now we have this lacoste and G40 drama which seeks to confuse everyone again while zanu is busy with massive election theft . To all those who have left zanu help this nation by spilling the beans tell the nation how zanu stealing and how they are preparing to steal next year do that for the sack of your nation and as patriotic citizens

Is he under any court order that bars him from travelling to any country including Mozambique.This is insane.

willy - 8 November 2017

They are now pushing each other off the Gravy Train. Those who fall come to the people wachiti " Ndibatsireiwo". Weduwee, kana Matsotsi kana Mbava dzawe kurwira zwa wakaba, musarandudzire mhani. Regai zwi urayane!

Sekuru Ndoronga - 8 November 2017

Mnagagwa is a thug and must be kept under lock and key . he must suffer for his sins . He used to liken Mugabe to Jesus demity .PLEASE SUFFER

Dave - 8 November 2017

This ain't the police, just too overzealous C10s!! Same morons he used to employ. Ain't that biaatch!!!!

Zero - 8 November 2017

No sympathy , sorry or crocodile tears for Ngwena for his misdeeds under the evil Emperor. My worry is Who is next to be used among the non-Zezuru by the evil Emperor. In the 80s, it was Mzombi Enos Nkala a Ndebele used with Mnangagwa from Karanga Landa to brutalise, butcher and vanguish the Ndebeles. Why are these people so dump and idiotic tollow a high School Teacher with no intellect nor pragmatism to use them the way things have happened. Mzembi, Makhosini, and Chipangas; be warned. This Zezuru malawian is gonna use you and tomorrow dont say Save did not warn you. Beyond creation of Zezuru hegemony, the Evil spirit wants to create an Acihmwene Dynasty. I Love U All; Zezuru, Ndebele, Manyika neWezhira.

Save - 8 November 2017

I am not happy with what President Robert Mugabe is doing ( forgetting his armed struggle brothers ) but at the same time let this be a lesson to all those in Zanu Pf who are used against the innocent people. Zimbabwe is now a clear reflection of the novel ANIMAL FARM. The animals fought for their freedom togather but at last freedom and good living was for the pigs only. I believe Grace gave something to Robert because the Mugabe we new in the 1980s is no more. In fact she gave everyone something because it appears no one in Zanu PF thinks against Grace and Robert until he/she is used and finally kicked out like Munangagwa. Today we can hardly imagine that Emmerson and Joice were Mugabe favourites. WAKE UP ZANU PF FOLLOWERS today you are being used and tomorrow you are the next one to be kicked out. Wake up from your day dreaming.

patrick macombe - 9 November 2017

I am not happy with what President Robert Mugabe is doing ( forgetting his armed struggle brothers ) but at the same time let this be a lesson to all those in Zanu Pf who are used against the innocent people. Zimbabwe is now a clear reflection of the novel ANIMAL FARM. The animals fought for their freedom togather but at last freedom and good living was for the pigs only. I believe Grace gave something to Robert because the Mugabe we new in the 1980s is no more. In fact she gave everyone something because it appears no one in Zanu PF thinks against Grace and Robert until he/she is used and finally kicked out like Munangagwa. Today we can hardly imagine that Emmerson and Joice were Mugabe favourites. WAKE UP ZANU PF FOLLOWERS today you are being used and tomorrow you are the next one to be kicked out. Wake up from your day dreaming.

patrick macombe - 9 November 2017

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